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By Beth E. Concepción A song that plays over and over in a person’s head was dubbed an “earworm” by author and psychologist James Kellaris, Ph.D., in a 2003 study. Musicals are notorious for causing earworms — none bigger a culprit, perhaps, than the legendary “West Side Story,” onstage April 28 - May 1 at the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. People can blame the even-more-legendary Leonard Bernstein for the music and Stephen Sondheim for the lyrics when they find themselves singing “I Feel Pretty” while in line at Leopold’s after seeing the Savannah College of Art and Design media and performing arts production. Other key songs include “Maria,” “America,” “Tonight” and “Somewhere.” Written by Arthur Laurents, “West Side Story” is an updated version of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and revolves around white and Puerto Rican street gangs in 1950s New York City. The musical debuted on Broadway in the Winter Garden Theater on Sept. 26, 1957. In 1961, United Artists released a movie version starring Natalie Wood, and the movie won 10 Oscars, including one for Best Picture. With such a long life and notable songs, almost everyone is bound to be familiar with the production. That familiarity presented some challenges for the SCAD cast. “In ways it is comforting because I’m familiar with the music,” said junior media and performing arts major Clare Frank, who plays Maria. “But in ways it is challenging trying to make it my own, and not trying to be like Natalie Wood. Jeff [DeVincent, the show’s director and professor of media and performing arts] encouraged me to keep my quirks — the qualities that got me cast.” Another challenge for the cast was the decision to employ the original choreography by Jerome Robbins. “We wanted to give students something to sink their teeth into,” DeVincent said. “We also wanted them to get a sense of the 1950s and race issues that are still relevant today … the messages of forgiveness and acceptance still resonate.” To update the production and give it a more contemporary feel, the casting was colorblind, DeVincent said. “I cast with all the faces of SCAD and not just the two races in the show,” he said. “Jeff has been very careful with the ‘racism’ in this show,” said junior media and performing arts student Sasha Travis, who plays Anita. “He has been very sensitive with the cast members.” “I’m very proud of this show,” DeVincent said. “I think it is the best [musical I’ve directed] because it says a lot, does a lot and it feels very exceptional because of the ensemble.” According to Travis, who transferred to SCAD and has extensive professional theater experience, including a national tour, “We as a cast have a really positive camaraderie … Everybody is really supportive of each other on stage. I think that you can sense that as an audience member.” That is one of the aspects that makes this production different from others people may have seen. Another is the staging. “I feel like our production is a more realistic depiction of the conflicts that the characters would have gone through,” Frank said. “With every play, there are different interpretations,” said junior media and performing arts major Geoffrey Browne. “With this, [we] are really selling the violence. It is one of the important aspects. Even though it is very safe for us, there is an element of danger that [we] are purposefully trying to portray.” That in itself has been challenging. “This is the first show that has truly kicked my butt,” Browne said. “I’ve worked hard before, but I literally go home bruised and broken … It is my first musical and my first major role. I understand the responsibility to the show and the work that [I] do.” For Stephen White, another junior in the department, the education has been the best part of the rehearsal process. “It’s been so nice — an amazing experience,” said White, who plays Tony. “Aside from being able to work with some of the best people I’ve ever worked with … I’ve just learned so much about using my voice, and the professional training. Every aspect has been so professional that I’m ready to go out and start auditioning.” Perhaps he can leave a potential employer humming “Maria” like the rest of the Savannah community. “West Side Story” is onstage April 28 - May 1 at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. Thursday - Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for students and seniors, and free with SCAD ID. For more information, visit www.trusteestheater.com. |
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